By OLAYINKA LATONA

Some Nigerian Reggae musicians have called on the government at all levels, including the private sector to implement comprehensive measures to combat the issue of ‘Japa’ syndrome among Nigerian youths.

The musicians: Orits Williki, Buchi Atuonwu, popularly known as Buchi, Righteousman made the call at the annual gospel musical concert called ‘Solid Praise with Mr. Zico’ held at Gospel Power Assembly, Ogba Lagos.

According to the reggae musicians, one of the keys to curbing the “Japa syndrome” is to create an environment in Nigeria where young people see a promising future and feel a sense of belonging and opportunity in their own country.

Orits Williki said: “One of the ways the government can curb the ‘japa syndrome’ is for them to make the system right. A lot of Nigerian youths with great ideas are wasting away everywhere, no room for development, the environment is extremely hostile to their development hence they have to look elsewhere for greener pasture. 

“As the saying goes, ‘an idle mind is the devil’s workshop’, if they don’t have anything to do, the devil will find a job for them. Hence it is for the government to actually know that the youth is the economy that we talk about and if these youths are not properly looked after, the nation’s economy won’t go forward. A lot of our youths are doing great things.

Buchi in his remarks said: “To the younger one’s, let nothing stop you, every kind of music and I mean every kind of music, deployed in the praise of God. We are on an assignment, on a mission and we cannot afford to leave any stone unturned.

“If you truly want to hear a song that addresses the politics of a nation, the social life of a nation, economy and everything about a nation, it’s reggae music. It’s dynamic, purposeful and a veritable medium in passing message”, he said.

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At the musical concert, Buchi revealed that the sole aim of the event is to bring people together to worship God through reggae music.

He said: “There is some opinion out there that reggae and gospel songs doesn’t go together but let me tell you, Solid praise is an authentic refutal proof that such opinion is not true because in solid praise we worship God truly and thoroughly”

Vanguard Newspaper